Spark HealthYour La Sallian Health Magazine

Arthritis Awareness
Special Issue Issue 1 May 2018
Weekly Newsletter

Arthritis generally refers to any disease -

that causes pain, inflammation, and damage to
the joints and connective tissues. Here in the
Philippines it is known as “rayuma”.

The Philippine Rheumatology Association

(PRA) said that more than five million adult
Filipinos are suffering from arthritis and
rheumatism. These two serious conditions are
wrongly associated with old age.

In a health forum organized by the Philippine College of Physicians last 2007, PRA president Dr.
Evelyn Osio-Salido said that one of every six adult Filipinos (have) these conditions. She also
mentioned that contrary to common perception that the arthritis and rheumatism go with old
age, they affect people of all ages.

Arthritis is a disease of the joint. It can be attributed to heredity, trauma, excess weight,
abnormal antibodies that attack the joints, medicines or infection.

In the Philippines, among the most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, gout, systemic
lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Doctors believe that people should refrain from smoking because cigarettes could be a
triggering factor for RA and SLE.

People who have severe arthritis or rheumatism complain of limited mobility because the parts
of their body affected by these conditions become swollen or deformed. It is important for
people who have these conditions to be treated immediately and properly to protect their
joints from further damage.

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In Focus: Arthritis Forms

both sides of the body that may become

Let us take a look at the different forms of
enlarged and deformed.
arthritis to understand the proper way to cure it.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) - type of arthritis
FORMS OF ARTHRITIS that affects the spine. The disease causes
inflammation of the spine and large joints,
Gout - joints are resulting in stiffness and pain.
painful and inflamed
due to uric acid
crystal deposits in the
joints.

Osteoarthritis - characterized by the

breakdown of joint cartilage and adjacent
bone in the neck, lower back, knees, hips,
and/or fingers. The disease is also known as
degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint Fibromyalgia - not truly a form of arthritis; it
disease. is a chronic,
widespread pain
in muscles and soft
tissues surrounding
the joints
throughout the
body,
accompanied by
fatigue.

Rheumatoid arthritis - chronic, autoimmune Juvenile rheumatoid

disease, is the most crippling form of arthritis(JRA) - usually
arthritis. This chronic disease is occurs in ages 15 and
characterized by painful and stiff joints on younger; causes
inflammation and
stiffness of joints for
more than six weeks.
The disease can
affect bone
development.

Reference: http://www.thefilipinodoctor.com/condition-
details.php?name=arthritis&id=156

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In Focus: Arthritis Symptoms and Risk Factors

cushioning layer between bones in a

joint (cartilage) to break down.

• Past injuries. A severe joint injury,

such as a knee injury that damages
cartilage, can add to the overall risk
of arthritis.

• Ethnicity. In the US, more Caucasians

have rheumatoid arthritis than Asians
and African Americans.
Symptoms
• Family History
The most common signs and symptoms
of arthritis involve problems in the joint area.
References:
Depending on the type of arthritis you have,
your signs and symptoms may include: http://www.thefilipinodoctor.com/conditiondetails.php?name=
arthritis&id=156

• Joint pain, tenderness, swelling, http://www.thefilipinodoctor.com/conditiondetails.php?name=

redness or warmth arthritis&id=156

• Early morning stiffness

• Reduced ability to move the joint
• Unexplained weight loss, fever, or
weakness associated with joint pains.

Risk Factors
• Age. Symptoms often begin after
age 40 with the exception of juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis

• Gender. Women are at higher risk.

Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and
fibromyalgia occur more often in
women.

• Weight. In weight-bearing joints like

the knees, extra weight exerts more
pressure on joints and causes the

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In Focus: Arthritis
Home Remedies for Arthritis &
Joint Pain
It is normal for us to take the freedom
of movement for granted, until we feel a
little less mobile because of certain joint
pains. The inflammation of one or more of
your joints or arthritis may be the culprit.
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, are
two main kinds of arthritis which affect the
joint in different ways. Osteoarthritis is when
the cartilage between bones wears down,
until bone grates on bone. Rheumatoid
arthritis is little less straightforward, being
caused by an autoimmune disorder that
causes inflammation of the synovial
membrane (a soft tissue that protects joints
in the body) and that can lead to bone loss.
But are you aware that there are
natural remedies for arthritis to manage the
pain and ease the symptoms? Here are
some we have researched about:
1. Turmeric & Ginger Tea
Turmeric and ginger are both anti-
inflammatory and will help with
osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Its
active ingredient is something called
curcumin, which is a powerful antioxidant.
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Home Remedies
In addition, it lowers the levels of 2 enzymes
responsible for causing inflammation (which
is what we’re often fighting with arthritis.)
You can take these in a capsule form or
make a nice spicy tea to enjoy daily.
You will need…
- 2 cups of water
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- Honey to taste
Directions:
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil and have ½
teaspoon each ground ginger and ground
turmeric. Reduce to a simmer and let it be
for 10-15 minutes. Strain, add honey to
taste, and enjoy twice daily. This yields 2
servings.
2. Epsom salt soak
Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate
which sounds kind of scary, but it’s really
quite a wonderful substance. A naturally
occurring mineral, magnesium sulfate has
been used to get relief from pain for years,
namely because of its high levels of
magnesium (more on magnesium below.)
You will need…
-1/2 cup of Epsom salt
-A large bowl
-Warm water
In Focus: Arthritis
Directions:
Fill a large bowl with warm water and add
½ cup of Epsom salt. Stir it around, and
then submerge your sore joints in the liquid.
If you are experiencing pain in a less
convenient place to soak, such as your
knees, try taking a bath with Epsom salts.
Run a tub full of warm water and add 2
cups of Epsom salt. Soak for 15 minutes (at
least.)
3. Lubricate with Extra Virgin Olive Oil
A main compound in extra virgin olive oil
(EVOO) called oleocanthal inhibits
inflammatory enzymes COX-1 and COX-2,
just like Advil or aspirin does. The study
showed that 1 ½ tablespoons is equal to
200-mg of ibuprofen. However, not every
oil is created equal. Heat destroys
oleocanthal, so it is necessary to use extra
virgin olive oil or “cold-pressed.” The
ripeness of the olives at the time they were
pressed also determines the level of
oleocanthal-generally the stronger tasting
the oil, the higher the level there is present.
It can be taken internally to reap the
benefits, but being high in calories consider
References:
http://www.thefilipinodoctor.com/condition-
details.php?name=arthritis&id=156
http://everydayroots.com/arthritis-remedies
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Home Remedies
replacing any fats, such as butter, with it in
cooking instead.
You will need…
-2-3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
Directions:
Rub a bit of olive oil onto your sore joints
twice a day, massaging in to each one
gently. You can also take 2-3 tablespoons
daily, but be sure to give up some other
form of fat due to the high calorie count in
the oil (rest easy, these are good calories.)
Some other simple home remedies are as
follows:
4. Place warm heating pad on affected
and/or painful area for 15 minutes to
relieve pain.
5. For severe pain, apply a cold pack to
relieve stiffness and ease the pain.
6. Stretch and exercise gently the
affected joint to regain strength and
mobility. However, do not exercise joint
if swollen or inflamed.
7. Physiotherapy helps strengthen weak
muscles.
8. Bromelain, found in pineapples
decreases pain and swelling and
improves mobility.